We have completed a review of the worker's compensation benefits paid to state employees from fiscal year (FY) 1999-2000 through FY 2003-04. During that five-year period, benefit payments for physical and mental injuries that resulted from accidents or illnesses sustained during the course of employment totaled $59.2 million. The worker's compensation program is managed by the Department of Administration and funded through premiums that are paid by state agencies, based primarily on their claims experience.
Although the number of paid claims declined by more than 16.0 percent during our review period, benefit payments increased 30.0 percent, from $10.0 million in FY 1999-2000 to $13.0 million in FY 2003-04. The average cost per paid claim increased 43.0 percent from its low of $2,005 in FY 2000-01 to $2,867 in FY 2003-04. Costs per claim increased primarily because of rising health care costs, which include hospital and physical therapy charges and prescription drugs. Three agencies-the University of Wisconsin System, the Department of Health and Family Services, and the Department of Corrections accounted for 72.4 percent of FY 2003-04 payments.
The types and severity of on-the-job injuries sustained by state employees varied substantially, from twisted ankles caused from falls to life-threatening injuries sustained in automobile accidents. The most costly injury category was lifting, moving, or restraining a load, which led to strained or pulled muscles. Benefit payments related to these injuries increased from $1.2 million in FY 1999-2000 to $3.5 million in FY 2003-04.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by Department of Administration staff in conducting this review.
Sincerely,
JANICE MUELLER
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Ethics Board
August 23, 2005
The Honorable, The Senate:
The following lobbyists have been authorized to act on behalf of the organizations set opposite their names.
For more detailed information about these lobbyists and organizations and a complete list of organizations and people authorized to lobby the 2005 session of the legislature, visit the Ethics Board's web site at
http://ethics.state.wi.us
Broydrick, William Hertz Rent-a-Car
Christianson, Peter C eFunds Corp.
Driessen, Anthony Dell, Inc.
Fassbender, Robert I National Paint & Coatings Association
Fonfara, Thomas Dell, Inc.
Fuglie, Paul Verizon Communications
Hough, James E National Paint & Coatings Association
Manley, Scott Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce
Petersen, Eric J Primerica Financial Services
Also available from the Wisconsin Ethics Board are reports identifying the amount and value of time state agencies have spent to affect legislative action and reports of expenditures for lobbying activities filed by organizations that employ lobbyists.
Sincerely,
R. Roth Judd
Executive Director
State of Wisconsin
Department of Administration
August 19, 2005
The Honorable, The Legislature:
I have enclosed the financial reporting package to be used by your agency in preparing information for the General Fund for the 2005 comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). Please refer to the accompanying list to identify those General Fund items that are included. We will forward to you the other items that pertain to your agency as soon as they are completed, which should be within the next week.
S330
For those of you responsible for individual GAAP funds. I have also enclosed the funds' system-generated GAAP trial balances. The Financial Reporting Section is still in the process of analyzing transactions impacting the balance sheet accounts "Cash and Cash Equivalents", "Due from other funds" and "Fund Equity". Adjustments to these accounts will be reflected on the individual funds' trial balance worksheets, which we will distribute within the next week or two. Agency accountants should exclude these four accounts from any analysis until that time.
Please return the completed financial reporting packages by the due-dates listed in the 2005 GAAP Conversion Manual, Section IV-3, Pages 3 through 8.
If you have any questions regarding the GAAP conversion process, please contact me at 266-3052.
Sincerely,
MARILYN KLEMENT
State Controller's Office
Financial Reporting Section
executive order #115
Relating to a Proclamation Declaring a State of Emergency
WHEREAS, severe weather including high winds and tornadoes occurred on August 18, 2005, in the State of Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS, high winds and tornado activity caused substantial property damage to residential and commercial properties, agriculture, power distribution systems and other elements of the public service infrastructure, in Dane and Richland Counties; and
WHEREAS, these severe weather conditions have created great hardship for the citizens and local governments of the affected counties; and
WHEREAS, additional personnel and resources are needed to expedite emergency recovery operations in the counties affected;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM DOYLE, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of this State, and specifically by Wis. Stat. 21.11 (1) and 166.03 (1)(b)1, do hereby:
1. Proclaim that a State of Emergency exists in Dane and Richland Counties;
2. Direct all agencies of the State of Wisconsin to assist said counties in recovering from this natural disaster; and
3. Call to active duty such elements of the Wisconsin National Guard as the Adjutant General deems necessary to assess the damage, and if necessary, expedite emergency recovery operations; and
4. Authorize the Adjutant General to use personnel called to active duty pursuant to this order in emergency status.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin to be affixed. Done at the Capitol in the city of Madison this nineteenth day of August in the year two thousand five.
JIM DOYLE
Governor
By the governor:
DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE
Secretary of State
executive order #116
Relating to a Proclamation Declaring a State of Emergency in Executive Order #115
WHEREAS, a State of Emergency was declared in Executive Order # 115 in Dane and Richland Counties due to severe weather including high winds and tornadoes that occurred on August 18, 2005;
WHEREAS, high winds and tornado activity also caused substantial property damage to residential and commercial properties, agriculture, power distribution systems and other elements of the public service infrastructure, in Vernon County; and
WHEREAS, these severe weather conditions have created great hardship for the citizens and local governments of the affected counties; and
WHEREAS, additional personnel and resources are needed to expedite emergency recovery operations in the counties affected;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM DOYLE, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of this State, and specifically by Wis. Stat. 21.11 (1) and 166.03 (1)(b)1, do hereby:
1. Proclaim that a State of Emergency exists in Vernon County and continues to exist in Dane and Richland Counties; and
2. Direct all agencies of the State of Wisconsin to assist said counties in recovering from this natural disaster; and
3. Call to active duty such elements of the Wisconsin National Guard as the Adjutant General deems necessary to assess the damage, and if necessary, expedite emergency recovery operations; and
4. Authorize the Adjutant General to use personnel called to active duty pursuant to this order in emergency status.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin to be affixed. Done at the Capitol in the city of Madison this nineteenth day of August in the year two thousand five.
JIM DOYLE
Governor
By the governor:
DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE
Secretary of State
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Secretary of State
To the Honorable, the Senate:
Bill Number Act Number
Publication Date
Senate Bill 193 Act
37
August 31
, 2005
Senate Bill 39 Act
43
August 31
, 2005
Sincerely,
DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE
Secretary of State
Pursuant to Senate Rule
17 (5), Senator Brown added as a coauthor of
Senate Bill 276 and a cosponsor of
Assembly Bill 378.
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
August 19, 2005
